December 20, 2013

Michael Spurlock hopes to fill in for Dwayne Harris this week

Dwayne Harris was the star of the Cowboys' 31-16 victory over Washington on Oct. 13. He had two punt returns for 109 yards, including an 86-yard touchdown, and 113 yards in kickoff returns, including a 90-yarder.

But Harris, second in the NFL with a 30.5-yards per kickoff return average, will miss Sunday's game with a hamstring injury. The Cowboys signed veteran Michael Spurlock this week with backup kickoff returner Terrance Williams (hamstring) questionable. Cole Beasley has taken over punt return duties in Harris' absence.

Spurlock ranks 20th in the NFL with a 6.6 yards per return average on punts. He averaged 22.5 yards per kickoff return in nine games for the Lions. He has two punt return touchdowns and three kickoff return touchdowns in his career.

"He’s been doing a great job," Spurlock said of Harris. "Watching what he’s done well and being successful at it, I'm just trying to mimic that and help the special teams, which is big. I'm just trying to help out and keep that going."

Spurlock played for Cowboys special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia when both were in Tampa Bay.